Master of Legal Studies On-Campus Programs | MLS, LLM MSL Schools

If graduate school for law is on your radar, a variety of universities offer either a Masters in Law (LLM), Master of Science in Law (MSL) or Master of Legal Studies on-Campus program. To understand the type of law graduate degree you are looking for may help you to narrow down some choices for graduate schools of law and legal studies since there are some distinctions between programs.

Why Consider Master of Legal Studies On-Campus Programs?

Master of legal studies on-campus programs offer law students and professionals the opportunity not only to gain an education in the law but also to learn how to think critically, reason, debate and engage in legal research. As post-graduate law education, most programs require students to have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, and students may come from a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to, a Bachelors in legal studies or law degree.

Law School for non-lawyers: Most graduate degree in law programs such as the Masters of legal studies are designed for non-lawyers, who find themselves in careers where they might benefit from learning about legal procedures such as contract negotiations.

Understand U.S. legal system: Other Masters in law programs such as LLM degree programs may help international students brush up on their knowledge of the United States legal system. Alternatively, a U.S. student might choose a Master of Law in International Law to understand how the legal system works in a foreign country. This might be of interest to current and/or aspiring immigration lawyers.

Potentially expand a law Practice: Or, graduate law school may be a place where currently licensed lawyers continue their education by learning a specialized area of practice such as Masters of law degrees in environmental law or taxation law.

DID YOU KNOW? When surveyed about their education level, 16 % of Labor Arbitrators indicated they had earned a Master’s degree.i

Potential Benefits of On-Campus MLS, MSL or LLM Programs

Master of legal studies on-campus programs may vary in curriculum and format, however, unlike for most fully MLS online programs, there is face-to-face learning. In fact, students may be in small law graduate school classes where they may have the opportunity to develop mentorships, personal and professional relationships with classmates, lecturers and teachers.

MLS, LLM and MSL schools may also cater to working professionals by offering classes in the evenings;

Some Masters in Legal Studies schools may also have full-time and part-time enrollment options;

You may have the opportunity to join campus associations, organizations or network with peers;

Law graduate schools may use a highly interactive form of class discussion and analysis which might include debating issues, examining case studies, and Socratic questioning;

Law courses may use interviewing courses to help students apply their knowledge;

What Might I Look for in MLS, LLM, MSL Schools?

Some of the factors you may wish to consider in choosing a graduate school for law and legal studies are;

What type of law graduate degree you are interested in? Master of science in Law, MA Legal Studies, MSL degree or LLM degree are some of the options you might be scrolling through

Subject Specialties

Finding accredited MLS, LLM or MSL Schools

Location needs

Master of Studies in Law On-Campus Programs

MSL Schools: Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree campus programs may be oriented for non-lawyers who want to learn the basics of legal concepts and explore the relationship between law and their discipline (science, technology, mathematics, engineering, business). Typically, the MSL degree is a one-year program and it is intended for those who do not desire a professional law degree.

Master of Legal Studies On-Campus Programs

MLS Schools: Master of Legal Studies on-campus (MLS) degree programs are also typically one-year degree programs oriented to non-lawyers who may work or aspire to work with regulations, negotiations, legal issues or lawyers. Students may also learn the process of legal analysis through case examinations or in learning about the laws and regulations that are related to their special interests (e.g. Intellectual property).

MA Legal Studies or Master of Science in Law Schools may also offer similar types of graduate degrees in law which may address issues such as compliance and how the regulatory environments might affect different types of professionals and entrepreneurs.

Masters of Law On-Campus Programs

LLM Schools: Masters of Law (LLM degree) campus programs are law graduate programs which are oriented to students (currently licensed attorneys) who have previously earned a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school or comparable legal degree from a non-U.S. law school. The LLM is not a law degree that prepares its graduates to take the Bar exams, however it might help an attorney refine skills and expand comprehension and expertise in a specific domain.

Find a Master of Legal Studies on-Campus program in a specific location: Are you looking for an MLS degree program or LLM degree program in a specific city, state or country? Use the location setting on our navigation to refine your search results. Location may be a consequential factor – especially if a graduate school for law and legal studies has partnerships with local businesses, law firms or other organizations where you might expand your professional circles or possibly, career opportunities.

Prospective legal studies Masters degree students might also consider any law-related volunteer, clinic, internship or externship programs are available by prospective law graduate schools.

Find Accredited MLS, LLM and MSL Schools

Accreditation is a process in which an outside agency or agencies evaluate a school's programs and faculty to ensure that they meet applicable academic and/or professional standards. The U.S. Department of Education does not accredit institutions itself, but it does recognize six regional accrediting agencies including the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the North Central Association (NCA). Masters of Legal Studies on-Campus programs may be offered at graduate schools with such regional accreditation. A fully accredited law school may be accredited by the American Bar Association which is the accreditation agency for law programs that lead to the Juris Doctor Degree.

Take the Next Step

Find campus-based Master in Legal Studies, Master of Science in Law and Masters of Law degree programs in law you are passionate about. Use the assistance of our on-page navigation to refine your preferences by ‘specialty’, then submit a form to request more information from the schools on your list. Take the next step in your legal studies and law graduate education today.

Loyola University Chicago

Strengthen your practice in child welfare with the MSW/MJ in Child and Family Law Dual Degree program. This program is designed for professionals who do not wish to practice law but seek a deeper understanding of legal issues affecting those they serve.

Designed for practicing lawyers seeking a broader understanding of human concerns in legal interventions, the MSW/JD Duel Degree program explores the social and psychological dynamics that impact at-risk populations. Several specializations are available.

As the worlds of business and law merge, it's increasingly crucial to have a firm understanding of both. Position yourself for success at the intersection of these dynamic markets with the Joint JD MBA program. Students earn both JD and MBA Law degrees.

University of Edinburgh

This masters programme examines in detail a diverse cross-section of topics such as genetics, assisted reproduction, transplantation, mental health, assisted suicide, and more, that reflect the legal and ethical challenges faced by those working in and a...

This specialist and popular masters programme aims to provide an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the institutions, rules and principles of the international economic system, as well as of key legal and policy issues arising from the glob...

This masters programme addresses the global demand for specialist legal knowledge in Environmental Law, providing an inter-disciplinary curriculum and serving as a gateway to employment and research opportunities in environmental law, protection and regu...

This unique opportunity provides the option to study a full generalist or specialist legal masters programme at a world-leading institution, while at the same time gaining a solid grounding in Modern Standard Chinese language (Mandarin).

The programme is designed to provide you with a theoretical and practical understanding of international human rights law in its broader political context, with a particular emphasis on the relationship between human rights and conflict resolution.

This degree offers an advanced insight into the practical and theoretical concepts underpinning the legal and regulatory infrastructure of global finance. An essential asset for anyone aspiring to a successful career within International financial and re...

This LLM offers a qualification that combines considerable academic interest with professional utility, providing a comparative insight into both the modern development of the key areas of private law, and also the dynamics of European harmonisation init...

This Masters by Research programme allows students to undertake independent research into their chosen field of law, under expert supervision through completion of a 30,00 word dissertation. It is an ideal step for those seeking to pursue a PhD.

Whether you want to pursue a career in criminal justice or criminology, or are already working these fields and looking to develop, on this master’s programme you will engage with the latest research in these fields, supported by leading experts.

This masters programme aims to help you understand the key concepts and theories underpinning criminal law and criminal justice and how they operate in practice, preparing you for a professional or academic career in these fields.

EU law is a complex and fascinating subject with an ever-increasing impact upon global policymaking. Our academics are at the forefront of EU Law research making this programme a significant asset to anyone seeking a rewarding career in law, business, po...

This innovative research masters degree offers a unique chance to bridge the gap between undergraduate study and doctoral work, by pursuing advanced study in a specialist field of choice, whilst developing research methods skills by undertaking a supervi...

This is a conversion programme for those who already possess an undergraduate qualification in a subject other than law, or who posses a law degree from a non-Scottish University, and wish to enter into training for the Scottish Legal Profession.

West Virginia University

South Bank University, London

Various law courses, amongst which a new Masters level (LLM) course which has been designed to build upon your previous Postgraduate legal study and to provide focussed, specialist legal education in a number of different areas.

Innovative teaching and a 21st-century curriculum set the Shepard Broad Law Center apart from other law schools. Graduates here don't just earn a degree—they encounter the real spirit and practice of law. Our pioneering combination of academics and clin...

Our supportive, closely knit community is a comfortable home for students whose breadth of political persuasions, ethnic and cultural experiences, sexual orientation, and economic backgrounds are valued. Our students come from colleges and universities...

Cornell University

Cornell is a national center of learning located in Ithaca, New York, the heart of the Finger Lakes region of New York State. The law school's small classes, broad curriculum and distinguished faculty, combined with the advantages of being part of one o...

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